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Osborne C, Gilbert-Parkes S, Spiers G, Lamit LJ, Lilleskov EA, Basiliko N, Watmough S. Global Patterns of Metal and Other Element Enrichment in Bog and Fen Peatlands. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:125-139. [PMID: 38340164 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01051-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Peatlands are found on all continents, covering 3% of the global land area. However, the spatial extent and causes of metal enrichment in peatlands is understudied and no attempt has been made to evaluate global patterns of metal enrichment in bog and fen peatlands, despite that certain metals and rare earth elements (REE) arise from anthropogenic sources. We analyzed 368 peat cores sampled in 16 countries across five continents and measured metal and other element concentrations at three depths down to 70 cm as well as estimated cumulative atmospheric S deposition (1850-2009) for each site. Sites were assigned to one of three distinct broadly recognized peatland categories (bog, poor fen, and intermediate-to-moderately rich fen) that varied primarily along a pH gradient. Metal concentrations differed among peatland types, with intermediate-to-moderately rich fens demonstrating the highest concentrations of most metals. Median enrichment factors (EFs; a metric comparing natural and anthropogenic metal deposition) for individual metals were similar among bogs and fens (all groups), with metals likely to be influenced by anthropogenic sources (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Sb) demonstrating median enrichment factors (EFs) > 1.5. Additionally, mean EFs were substantially higher than median values, and the positive correlation (< 0.40) with estimated cumulative atmospheric S deposition, confirmed some level of anthropogenic influence of all pollutant metals except for Hg that was unrelated to S deposition. Contrary to expectations, high EFs were not restricted to pollutant metals, with Mn, K and Rb all exhibiting elevated median EFs that were in the same range as pollutant metals likely due to peatland biogeochemical processes leading to enrichment of these nutrients in surface soil horizons. The global patterns of metal enrichment in bogs and fens identified in this study underscore the importance of these peatlands as environmental archives of metal deposition, but also illustrates that biogeochemical processes can enrich metals in surface peat and EFs alone do not necessarily indicate atmospheric contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetwynd Osborne
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Spencer Gilbert-Parkes
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | | | | | - Erik A Lilleskov
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Nathan Basiliko
- Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Shaun Watmough
- School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada.
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Li X, Zhang D, Zhao Y, Kuang L, Huang H, Chen W, Fu X, Wu Y, Li T, Zhang J, Yuan L, Hu H, Liu Y, Hu F, Zhang M, Sun X, Hu D. Correlation of heavy metals' exposure with the prevalence of coronary heart disease among US adults: findings of the US NHANES from 2003 to 2018. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:6745-6759. [PMID: 37378736 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01670-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
We sought to explore the association between heavy metal exposure and coronary heart disease (CHD) based on data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2003-2018). In the analyses, participants were all aged > 20 and had participated in heavy metal sub-tests with valid CHD status. The Mann-Kendall test was employed to assess the trends in heavy metals' exposure and the trends in CHD prevalence over 16 years. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and a logistics regression (LR) model were used to estimate the association between heavy metals and CHD prevalence. 42,749 participants were included in our analyses, 1802 of whom had a CHD diagnosis. Total arsenic, dimethylarsonic acid, monomethylarsonic acid, barium, cadmium, lead, and antimony in urine, and cadmium, lead, and total mercury in blood all showed a substantial decreasing exposure level tendency over the 16 years (all Pfor trend < 0.05). CHD prevalence varied from 3.53 to 5.23% between 2003 and 2018. The correlation between 15 heavy metals and CHD ranges from - 0.238 to 0.910. There was also a significant positive correlation between total arsenic, monomethylarsonic acid, and thallium in urine and CHD by data release cycles (all P < 0.05). The cesium in urine showed a negative correlation with CHD (P < 0.05). We found that exposure trends of total arsenic, dimethylarsonic acid, monomethylarsonic acid, barium, cadmium, lead, and antimony in urine and blood decreased. CHD prevalence fluctuated, however. Moreover, total arsenic, monomethylarsonic acid, and thallium in urine all showed positive relationships with CHD, while cesium in urine showed a negative relationship with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Kuang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiling Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueru Fu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuying Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianze Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinli Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Yuan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Huifang Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Fulan Hu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xizhuo Sun
- Department of General Practice, The Affiliated Luohu Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongsheng Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, 100 Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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Vasilevich R, Vasilevich M, Lodygin E, Abakumov E. Geochemical Characteristics of the Vertical Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Hummocky Peatlands of the Cryolithozone. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3847. [PMID: 36900858 PMCID: PMC10001012 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
One of the main reservoirs depositing various classes of pollutants in high latitude regions are wetland ecosystems. Climate warming trends result in the degradation of permafrost in cryolitic peatlands, which exposes the hydrological network to risks of heavy metal (HM) ingress and its subsequent migration to the Arctic Ocean basin. The objectives included: (1) carrying out a quantitative analysis of the content of HMs and As across the profile of Histosols in background and technogenic landscapes of the Subarctic region, (2) evaluating the contribution of the anthropogenic impact to the accumulation of trace elements in the seasonally thawed layer (STL) of peat deposits, (3) discovering the effect of biogeochemical barriers on the vertical distribution of HMs and As. The analyses of elements were conducted by atom emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma, atomic absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive X-ray detecting. The study focused on the characteristics of the layer-by-layer accumulation of HMs and As in hummocky peatlands of the extreme northern taiga. It revealed the upper level of microelement accumulation to be associated with the STL as a result of aerogenic pollution. Specifically composed spheroidal microparticles found in the upper layer of peat may serve as indicators of the area polluted by power plants. The accumulation of water-soluble forms of most of the pollutants studied on the upper boundary of the permafrost layer (PL) is explained by the high mobility of elements in an acidic environment. In the STL, humic acids act as a significant sorption geochemical barrier for elements with a high stability constant value. In the PL, the accumulation of pollutants is associated with their sorption on aluminum-iron complexes and interaction with the sulfide barrier. A significant contribution of biogenic element accumulation was shown by statistical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Vasilevich
- Institute of Biology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - Mariya Vasilevich
- Institute of Biology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - Evgeny Lodygin
- Institute of Biology, Komi Science Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982 Syktyvkar, Russia
| | - Evgeny Abakumov
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, 199178 St. Petersburg, Russia
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Vejvodová K, Vaněk A, Spasić M, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Vaňková M, Drahota P, Teper L, Vokurková P, Pavlů L, Zádorová T, Drábek O. Effect of peat organic matter on sulfide weathering and thallium reactivity: Implications for organic environments. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 299:134380. [PMID: 35318025 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Weathering of Tl-containing sulfides in a model (12-week) peat pot trial was studied to better understand their geochemical stability, dissolution kinetics, alteration products and the associated release and mobility of anthropogenic Tl in organic environments. We also present the effect of industrial acid rainwater on sulfide degradation and Tl migration in naturally acidic peat. Sphalerite (ZnS) was much less stable in peat than other Tl-containing sulfides (galena and pyrite), and thus acted as a major phase responsible for Tl mobilization. Furthermore, Tl incongruently leached out over Zn from ZnS, and accumulated considerably more in the peat solutions (≤5 μg Tl/L) and the peat samples (≤0.4 mg Tl/kg) that were subjected to acid rain watering compared to a deionized H2O regime. This finding was in good agreement with the absence of secondary Tl-containing phases, which could potentially control the Tl flux into the peat. The behavior of Tl was not as conservative as Pb throughout the trial, since a higher peat mobility and migration potential of Tl was observed compared to Pb. In conclusion, industrial acid precipitations can significantly affect the stability of ZnS even in acidic peat/organic environments, making it susceptible to enhanced weathering and Tl release in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Vejvodová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Marko Spasić
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vaňková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Drahota
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Leslaw Teper
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Petra Vokurková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Pavlů
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
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Pech P, Wojtuń B, Samecka-Cymerman A, Polechońska L, Kempers AJ. Metals in Plant Functional Types of Ombrotrophic Peatlands in the Sudetes (SW Poland). ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 82:506-519. [PMID: 35396936 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-022-00928-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Sudetes are remarkable for the variety and number of peat bogs which receive nutrients via precipitation from atmospheric deposition as the only source of minerals. As this type of peat bogs with a very low buffering capacity is affected in the Sudetes by long-range exhausts from the former Black Triangle, strong response to atmospheric contamination may be expected. Therefore these peat bogs are highly suitable for bioindication purposes. As a result, metal levels in peat and plants should be controlled to evaluate potential ecological damage and to devise treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in species from different plant functional types (PFTs): shrubs, evergreen dwarf shrubs, deciduous dwarf shrubs, tussock sedges, non-tussock sedges, forbs, Sphagnum mosses, brown mosses, liverworts, and algae collected from peat bogs of the Izera, Karkonosze, and Bystrzyckie Mountains. PFTs of the Karkonosze peat bogs situated above the upper forest line contained higher metal concentrations than those of the Izera and Bystrzyckie peat bogs from lower altitudes and surrounded by forests. Of all PFTs, the algae Zygogonium ericetorum accumulated the highest levels of Fe, Pb, and Zn. The PFTs of Sphagnum mosses were also very effective bioindicators of Cd, Cr, Fe, Hg, and Pb deposition to peat bog ecosystems. Pb, Fe, and Cr found in the examined vascular PFTs originated from atmospheric deposition. The results showed that airborne contaminants, including the ones connected with long-range transport, can make a significant contribution to a load of trace metals in peat bogs located above the upper forest line. These airborne depositions facilitate better recognition of the transport of contaminants carried over great distances and should be taken into account in monitoring and environmental protection programs. In particular, the results, first of all, show the differences in the bioaccumulation of metals in PFTs and their response to trace metal levels in such habitats. Of all PFTs, algae and Sphagnum mosses were the best choices for bioindication of trace metal pollution in ombrotrophic mountain mires. PFTs have not been used so far for investigating ombrotrophic mountain mires in Europe. Thus results of this investigation could be extended to this type of peat bogs in the mountains of Central Europe for better selection of PFTs for bioindication purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Pech
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Institute of Botany, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Bronisław Wojtuń
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Institute of Botany, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Samecka-Cymerman
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Institute of Botany, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Ludmiła Polechońska
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Institute of Botany, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Alexander J Kempers
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, Huygens Building, Heijendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Vaněk A, Vejvodová K, Mihaljevič M, Ettler V, Trubač J, Vaňková M, Goliáš V, Teper L, Sutkowska K, Vokurková P, Penížek V, Zádorová T, Drábek O. Thallium and lead variations in a contaminated peatland: A combined isotopic study from a mining/smelting area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:117973. [PMID: 34428701 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Vertical profiles of Tl, Pb and Zn concentrations and Tl and Pb isotopic ratios in a contaminated peatland/fen (Wolbrom, Poland) were studied to address questions regarding (i) potential long-term immobility of Tl in a peat profile, and (ii) a possible link in Tl isotopic signatures between a Tl source and a peat sample. Both prerequisites are required for using peatlands as archives of atmospheric Tl deposition and Tl isotopic ratios as a source proxy. We demonstrate that Tl is an immobile element in peat with a conservative pattern synonymous to that of Pb, and in contrast to Zn. However, the peat Tl record was more affected by geogenic source(s), as inferred from the calculated element enrichments. The finding further implies that Tl was largely absent from the pre-industrial emissions (>~250 years BP). The measured variations in Tl isotopic ratios in respective peat samples suggest a consistency with anthropogenic Tl (ε205Tl between ~ -3 and -4), as well as with background Tl isotopic values in the study area (ε205Tl between ~0 and -1), in line with detected 206Pb/207Pb ratios (1.16-1.19). Therefore, we propose that peatlands can be used for monitoring trends in Tl deposition and that Tl isotopic ratios can serve to distinguish its origin(s). However, given that the studied fen has a particularly complicated geochemistry (attributed to significant environmental changes in its history), it seems that ombrotrophic peatlands could be better suited for this type of Tl research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Vaněk
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Kateřina Vejvodová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Mihaljevič
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Ettler
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Trubač
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Vaňková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Viktor Goliáš
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00, Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Leslaw Teper
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Sutkowska
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia, Bedzinska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Petra Vokurková
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Penížek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Zádorová
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Drábek
- Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Praha 6, Czech Republic
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7
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Szymczyk A, Nita M. Holocene environmental changes in a prehistoric mining and metallurgical region in the light of paleobotanical studies of the bogs of the Brynica river drainage basin (southern Poland). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147755. [PMID: 34134385 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The analyses of human-environment interactions in prehistoric and medieval mining and metallurgical centres in Europe result in various assessments of the environmental impact of early metal ore mining and metallurgy. In some mining and metallurgical sites or areas, such as the prehistoric basin on the Greek island of Kythnos or the later Morvan and Mont Lozère areas in France as well as Tjursbosjön in Sweden, the impact was significant and lasting. In others, such as: Cors Fochno in Wales, the Falkenstein region in Austria, or the Northern Vosges Mountains in France, the environmental changes were limited and reversible. The results of palaeobotanical research (pollen analysis and analysis of plant macroremains) in peat cores from southern Poland enabled the Holocene vegetation transformations in one of the oldest mining regions in Central Europe to be reconstructed. They also provided new data, used to assess the impact of settlements as well as the development of metallurgy on the environment in the region and changes in bog ecosystems. The first changes in vegetation caused by human activity were observed at the boundary between the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. They are documented by pollen indicating shepherding activity and single grains of cereal pollen. The greatest intensity of change, reflected in sediment as a maximum concentration of charcoal, was recorded at the end of the Bronze Age and attributed to the Lusatian culture. The changes in the vegetation under the impact of human activity until the early Middle Ages were reversible and had a local scope. The intensification of slash-and-burn agriculture was indicated as the most probable and important cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Szymczyk
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Nita
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
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8
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De Vleeschouwer F, Baron S, Cloy JM, Enrico M, Ettler V, Fagel N, Kempter H, Kylander M, Li C, Longman J, Martinez-Cortizas A, Marx S, Mattielli N, Mighall T, Nieminen TM, Piotrowska N, Pontevedra-Pombal X, Pratte S, Renson V, Shotyk W, Shuttleworth E, Sikorski J, Stromsoe N, Talbot J, von Scheffer C, Weiss D, Zaccone C, Le Roux G. Comment on: "A novel approach to peatlands as archives of total cumulative spatial pollution loads from atmospheric deposition of airborne elements complementary to EMEP data: Priority pollutants (Pb, Cd, Hg)" by Ewa Miszczak, Sebastian Stefaniak, Adam Michczyński, Eiliv Steinnes and Irena Twardowska. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 737:138699. [PMID: 32376094 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A recent paper by Miszczak et al. (2020) examines metal contamination of mires in Poland and Norway. The authors conclude that lead (Pb) records in ombrotrophic peatlands cannot be used to reconstruct the chronological history of anthropogenic activities due to post-depositional mobility of the metal. We contest this general conclusion which stands in contrast with a significant body of literature demonstrating that Pb is largely immobile in the vast majority of ombrotrophic peatlands. Our aim is to reaffirm the crucial contribution that peat records have made to our knowledge of atmospheric Pb contamination. In addition, we reiterate the necessity of following established protocols to produce reliable records of anthropogenic Pb contamination in environmental archives.
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Affiliation(s)
- F De Vleeschouwer
- Instituto Franco-Argentino para el Estudio del Clima y sus Impactos (UMI IFAECI/CNRS-CONICET-UBA-IRD), Argentina.
| | - S Baron
- Laboratoire TRACES (CNRS, Université de Toulouse), France
| | - J M Cloy
- Scotland's Rural College, Edinburgh, UK
| | - M Enrico
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - V Ettler
- Charles University, Faculty of Science, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - N Fagel
- AGEs, Département de Géologie, Université de Liège, Belgium
| | - H Kempter
- Welzheimer Str. 14, D-71566 Althuette, Germany
| | - M Kylander
- Department of Geological Sciences and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - C Li
- Geoscience Environnement Toulouse (CNRS-UPS-IRD-CNAP-CNES), France
| | - J Longman
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, UK
| | | | - S Marx
- GeoQuEST Research Centre, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - N Mattielli
- Laboratoire G-Time, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - T Mighall
- School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, UK
| | - T M Nieminen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland Luke, Helsinki, Finland
| | - N Piotrowska
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Physics-CSE, GADAM Center, Gliwice, Poland
| | | | - S Pratte
- Department of Geography, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - V Renson
- Research Reactor, University of Missouri, USA
| | - W Shotyk
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | | | - J Sikorski
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Physics-CSE, GADAM Center, Gliwice, Poland
| | - N Stromsoe
- College of Engineering, IT and Environment, Charles Darwin University, Australia
| | - J Talbot
- Département de Géographie, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - C von Scheffer
- Institute for Ecosystem Research, Kiel University, Germany
| | - D Weiss
- Imperial College London, UK; Princeton University, Princeton, USA
| | - C Zaccone
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Italy
| | - G Le Roux
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
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9
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Twardowska I, Steinnes E, Miszczak E. Reply to the comments on "A novel approach to peatlands as archives of total cumulative spatial pollution loads from atmospheric deposition of airborne elements complementary to EMEP data: Priority pollutants (Pb, Cd, Hg)" by V. De Vleeschouwer et al. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 737:139153. [PMID: 32402463 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the comments by De Vleeschouwer et al. (2020) on a recent paper by Miszczak et al. (2020), two major issues were critically discussed: (1) the behavior of lead in ombrotrophic peatlands, with particular regard to the possible lead vertical mobility/immobility; (2) lead data use to accurately reconstruct historical contamination. The authors stated that "some of the conclusions reached by Miszczak et al. (2020) are based on misinterpretation or incorrect sampling and data analyses approaches". A reply to comments emphasises that these topics are not an issue of the paper. Its major idea was to use the unique natural systems (that are ombrotrophic peat bogs) as complete and reliable inventories for the assessment of cumulative loads of airborne element deposition independently upon its chronology. The results of a study conducted on ten ombrotrophic peat bogs in Norway and Poland showed a striking quantitative precision of such assessment. This has led to the idea of including ombrotrophic peat bogs into the EMEP network as tools for the completion of spatial distribution data on the fugitive element deposition. It would be helpful if a bigger number of experienced and widely recognized researchers take part in such project. Simultaneously, the analysis of source data, own results and case studies makes clear that the information regarding ombrotrophic peat properties is still insufficient to reconstruct precisely the chronology of metal contamination records, despite the development of high resolution sampling and analytical techniques and interpretational approaches. The clarification of some seemingly biased records would help to elucidate unexplained or unusual lead behavior in some outstanding cases. These cases demonstrate also that despite over 40 years of studies there are still the substantial gaps in our knowledge that need to be filled up.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Twardowska
- Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie St. 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland.
| | - E Steinnes
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - E Miszczak
- Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie St. 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
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10
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Miszczak E, Stefaniak S, Michczyński A, Steinnes E, Twardowska I. A novel approach to peatlands as archives of total cumulative spatial pollution loads from atmospheric deposition of airborne elements complementary to EMEP data: priority pollutants (Pb, Cd, Hg). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 705:135776. [PMID: 31972936 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A novel approach to using peatlands for assessment of cumulative contributions from long-range transport of pollutants (LRTP) - airborne trace elements - to spatial pollution was exemplified in evaluating retrospective atmospheric deposition of priority pollutants (Pb, Cd, Hg) in peat bogs in Norway in areas minor affected by local sources of pollution and in NW Poland located on the way of possible LRTP from Poland to Norway. Peat from the corresponding 14C-dated layers of five ombrotrophic bogs in each country, was analysed for trace element contents. Pollutant concentrations/load distribution along the peat profiles related to bulk density has given a clear evidence of uneven density-dependent temporal vertical migration of all studied elements that distorts the chronology of their deposition. Much higher loads of Pb, Cd and Hg in southern Norwegian bogs than in bogs located in NW Poland proved transboundary transport from neighbouring highly industrialized European countries to be much more significant contributor to high deposition of the priority pollutants in this area and rather excludes LRTP from Poland as a major source of total land pollution in southernmost Norway. The study showed excellent applicability of peat bogs for the exact assessment of retrospective cumulative pollutant loads from LRTP, but not for the identification of deposition chronology. Combining the use of ombrotrophic peat bogs as tools for retrospective monitoring of cumulative land pollution with airborne elements with current LRTP data within the Cooperative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-Range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe (EMEP) may provide a complete reliable picture of the effect of anthropogenic emissions on soil quality and create a foundation of optimum environmental policy and activities in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Miszczak
- Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie st. 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Sebastian Stefaniak
- Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie st. 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Adam Michczyński
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Physics, Department of Radioisotopes, GADAM Centre of Excellence, Konarskiego st. 22b, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Eiliv Steinnes
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Irena Twardowska
- Institute of Environmental Engineering of the Polish Academy of Sciences, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie st. 34, 41-819 Zabrze, Poland.
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11
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Chemical and Mineralogical Composition of Soot and Ash from the Combustion of Peat Briquettes in Household Boilers. ENERGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/en12193784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Soot and ash as residues from the combustion of peat briquettes were analysed by chemical and mineralogical methods. The study aimed to characterize combustion in domestic boilers of two different emission classes. Ten samples of soot deposited in exhausting ways of boilers were obtained (five of each emission class). The analyses of organic substances in soot were performed using a combination of the methods for the determination of elemental and organic forms of carbon with analytical pyrolysis. Pyrolysis gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (Py-GC/MS) allowed the identification of organic compounds belonging to twenty different groups. The major and minor elements in peat briquettes, char and soot, were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The identification of grains and the chemical character of soot was performed using a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The mineral phases in ash were determined by X-ray diffraction. The behaviour of the inorganic elements in combustion products (ash and soot) was studied by means of an enrichment factor. The analytical results are used for characterizing the technological conditions of combustion. The soot deposits from the more advanced boilers with increased combustion temperature contain more organic compounds which indicate the highly carbonized cellulose (benzofurans and dibenzofurans). The increased combustion temperature is indicated by increased concentrations of heterocyclic and aliphatic nitrogen compounds, while the total concentrations of nitrogen in soot from boilers of both types are comparable.
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12
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Smieja-Król B, Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł B, Michalska A, Krzykawski T, Smołka-Danielowska D. Deposition of mullite in peatlands of southern Poland: Implications for recording large-scale industrial processes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 250:717-727. [PMID: 31035154 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Mullite, a pure aluminosilicate (Al6Si2O13), is a rare natural rock component, known for centuries as a very resistant ceramic material. It is also a common waste product of high-temperature coal combustion that is emitted in quantity from coal-based power stations. The occurrence of mullite in two Sphagnum-dominated peatlands located near the Upper Silesia industrial region in southern Poland is described. For the first time, a complete record of mullite deposition in the peat profiles has been obtained by XRD analyses of ashed peat samples. The mullite distribution is compared with records of Hg, Pb and Cu. While mullite is supplied during high temperature processes only, Cu, Pb and Hg show more complex pattern of distribution. Both peat profiles contain elevated amounts of mullite in the time span between ca 1950-1990 with a maximum content in ca 1980. The first appearance (∼1900) of mullite is indicative of the beginning of energy production in coal-based power plants in the region. Mullite is proposed here as an indicator of industrialization in geological records. It is resistant to post-depositional processes, emitted globally, and restricted to large-scale industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Smieja-Król
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Barbara Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł
- Institute of Geoinformation and Geoecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Krygowskiego 10, 61-680, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Michalska
- Department of Environmental Monitoring, Central Mining Institute, Plac Gwarków 1, 40-166, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tomasz Krzykawski
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
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13
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Lazareva EV, Myagkaya IN, Kirichenko IS, Gustaytis MA, Zhmodik SM. Interaction of natural organic matter with acid mine drainage: In-situ accumulation of elements. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 660:468-483. [PMID: 30640114 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Natural organic matter (NOM) within the dispersion train of Novo-Ursk tailings (Salair Ridge, Kemerovo region, Russia) is composed of remnant sedge peat mounds and is located either on the surface or is buried under cyanide wastes. The organic material interacts with AMD and with the wastes, which leaves imprint on its composition. This interaction produces geochemical anomalies (g/t: 1582 Cu, 41,300 Zn, 6060 Se, 11,700 Hg, 114-155 Au, 534 Ag, 416 I). The contents of elements depend on Fe in three groups of NOM samples that contain <10 wt% Fe (group I), 10-22 wt% Fe (group II), and >22 wt% Fe (group III). NOM with higher Fe enrichment contains less Cu, Zn, Se, Hg, Ag and I, as well as Cd, Ba, Sr and Rb, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, and Te but more As. Yet, gold may reach high concentrations in NOM with any Fe contents. Accumulation of elements by NOM during its prolonged interaction with wastes and AMD is maintained by physical, chemical, biochemical, and mineralogical processes. They are, respectively, migration of waters controlled by permeability of material in the dispersion train depending on its grain sizes and by AMD flow direction; oxidative dissolution of sulfides, complexing, and adsorption on organic matter and Fe(III) hydroxides; microbial mediation; and secondary mineralization. The chemistry of waters interacting with NOM at the time of its deposition can be reconstructed with regard to several factors, including microbial mediation. Namely, local geochemical anomalies with ultrahigh element concentrations may arise because microorganisms can immobilize Hg to make it less toxic; sulfate-reducing bacteria can maintain precipitation of Zn, Cu, and Cd sulfides; microbial activity can mediate redistribution of elements between clastic and organic materials, etc. The inferred inheritance of AMD geochemical signatures by NOM has implications for the conditions and mechanisms of element accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Lazareva
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Koptyuga Ave. 3, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - I N Myagkaya
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Koptyuga Ave. 3, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
| | - I S Kirichenko
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Koptyuga Ave. 3, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - M A Gustaytis
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Koptyuga Ave. 3, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - S M Zhmodik
- V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Koptyuga Ave. 3, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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14
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Bao K, Wang G, Jia L, Xing W. Anthropogenic impacts in the Changbai Mountain region of NE China over the last 150 years: geochemical records of peat and altitude effects. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:7512-7524. [PMID: 30659486 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04138-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Geochemical records from peatlands are important tools for the interpretation of environmental signals preserved in the peat and the understanding anthropogenic impacts on remote mountain regions. In this paper, six 210Pb-dated peat cores located at 500-1900 m above sea level (asl) in the Changbai Mountains were used to reconstruct the pollution history over the past 150 years in northeastern (NE) China. The cores physicochemical parameters and 10 key chemical elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Results from loss on ignition (LOI), total organic carbon (TOC), and lithogenic element (Ti, Fe, and Mn) analysis show that the peatlands (Ch, Yc1 and Jb) over 900 m asl are ombrotrophic and the lower altitude peatlands (Dng, Jc, and Ha) are minerotrophic. There is a decreasing trend of trace element distribution with the altitude, mainly due to the local source input. The content of the magnetic particles and trace elements (Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) as well as their accumulation rates document 150 years of pollution history in the Changbai Mountain region. There is a significant elevated pattern of the geochemical records after the New China, which might mark the start date of Anthropocene since the 1950s in this region. The peatlands at the lower altitude (i.e., Dng and Ha) record the earliest fingerprints of metal contamination due to the starting period of massive reclaiming and immigrating in the Changbai Mountain region. The major increase of trace elements since the 1980s probably suggests a significant deterioration of the local environment due to the fast industrial and urbanization development after the Reform and Opening up in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunshan Bao
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Shipai Campus, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
| | - Guoping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
| | - Lin Jia
- Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Wei Xing
- College of Geographic Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang, 464000, China
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15
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Bond MJ, Carr J. Permafrost thaw and implications for the fate and transport of tritium in the Canadian north. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:295-311. [PMID: 30015315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Layers of permafrost developed during the 1950s and 1960s incorporated tritium from the atmosphere that originated from global nuclear weapons testing. In regions underlain by substantial permafrost, this tritium has been effectively trapped in ice since it was deposited and subject to radioactive decay alone, which has substantially lengthened its environmental half-life compared to areas with little or no permafrost where the weapons-test era precipitation has been subject to both decay and hydrodynamic dispersion. The Arctic is warming three times faster than other parts of the world, with northern regions incurring some of the most pronounced effects of climate change, resulting in permafrost degradation. A series of 23 waterbodies across the Canadian sub-Arctic spanning the continuous, discontinuous and isolated patches permafrost zones in northern Manitoba, Northwest Territories and Labrador were sampled. Surface water and groundwater seepage samples were collected from each lake and analyzed for tritium, stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) and general water chemistry characteristics. Measured tritium was significantly higher in surface waters (SW) and groundwater seepage (GW) in water bodies located in the sporadic discontinuous (64 ± 15 T U. in SW and 52 ± 9 T U. in GW) and extensive discontinuous (53 ± 7 T U. in SW and 61 ± 7 T U. in GW) permafrost regions of the Northwest Territories than in regions underlain by continuous permafrost in northern Manitoba (<12 T U. in both SW and GW) or those within isolated patches of permafrost in Labrador (16 ± 2 T U. in SW and 21 ± 4 T U. in GW). The greatest tritium enrichment (up to 128 T U.) was observed in lakes near Jean Marie River in the Mackenzie River valley, a region known to be experiencing extensive permafrost degradation. These results demonstrate significant permafrost degradation in the central Mackenzie River basin and show that tritium is becoming increasingly mobile in the sub-Arctic environment-at concentrations higher than expected-as a result of a warming climate. A better understanding of the cycling of tritium in the environment will improve our understanding of Arctic radioecology under changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Bond
- Environmental Sciences Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, Ontario, K0J 1J0, Canada.
| | - Jamie Carr
- Environmental Sciences Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, 286 Plant Road, Chalk River, Ontario, K0J 1J0, Canada
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16
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Niedermeier M, Gierlinger N, Lütz-Meindl U. Biomineralization of strontium and barium contributes to detoxification in the freshwater alga Micrasterias. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 230:80-91. [PMID: 30195163 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The unicellular model alga Micrasterias denticulata inhabits acid peat bogs that are highly endangered by pollutants due to their high humidity. As it was known from earlier studies that algae like Micrasterias are capable of storing barium naturally in form of BaSO4 crystals, it was interesting to experimentally investigate distribution and sequestration of barium and the chemically similar alkaline earth metal strontium. Additionally, we intended to analyze whether biomineralization by crystal formation contributes to diminution of the generally toxic effects of these minerals to physiology and structure of this alga which is closely related to higher plants. The results show that depending on the treatment differently shaped crystals are formed in BaCl2 and Cl2Sr exposed Micrasterias cells. Modern microscopic techniques such as analytical TEM by electron energy loss spectroscopy and Raman microscopy provide evidence for the chemical composition of these crystals. It is shown that barium treatment results in the formation of insoluble BaSO4 crystals that develop within distinct compartments. During strontium exposure long rod-like crystals are formed and are surrounded by membranes. Based on the Raman signature of these crystals their composition is attributed to strontium citrate. These crystals are instable and are dissolved during cell death. During strontium as well as barium treatment cell division rates and photosynthetic oxygen production decreased in dependence of the concentration, whereas cell vitality was reduced only slightly. Together with the fact that TEM analyses revealed only minor ultrastructural alterations as consequence of relatively high concentrated BaCl2 and Cl2Sr exposure, this indicates that biomineralization of Sr and Ba protects the cells from severe damage or cell death at least within a particular concentration range and time period. In the case of Sr treatment where ROS levels were found to be elevated, hallmarks for autophagy of single organelles were observed by TEM, indicating beginning degradation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Niedermeier
- University of Salzburg, Department of Biosciences, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Notburga Gierlinger
- BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Nanobiotechnology, Muthgasse 11/II, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ursula Lütz-Meindl
- University of Salzburg, Department of Biosciences, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
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17
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Lu X, Liu L, Fan R, Luo J, Yan S, Rengel Z, Zhang Z. Dynamics of copper and tetracyclines during composting of water hyacinth biomass amended with peat or pig manure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:23584-23597. [PMID: 28856512 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9979-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Composting is one of the post-treatment methods for phytoremediation plants. Due to a high potential of water hyacinth to accumulate pollutants, the physicochemical parameters, microbial activity as well as fates of copper (Cu) and tetracyclines (TCs) were investigated for the different amended water hyacinth biomass harvested from intensive livestock and poultry wastewater, including unamended water hyacinth (W), water hyacinth amended with peat (WP), and water hyacinth amended with pig manure (WPM) during the composting process. Pig manure application accelerated the composting process as evidenced by an increase of temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), NH4-N, as well as functional diversity of microbial communities compared to W and WP treatments. Composting process was slowed down by high Cu, but not by TCs. The addition of peat significantly increased the residual fraction of Cu, while pig manure addition increased available Cu concentration in the final compost. Cu could be effectively transformed into low available (oxidizable) and residual fractions after fermentation. In contrast, less than 0.5% of initial concentrations of TCs were determined at the end of 60-day composting for all treatments in the final composts. The dissipation of TCs was accelerated by the high Cu concentration during composting. Therefore, composting is an effective method for the post-treatment and resource utilization of phytoremediation plants containing Cu and/or TCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Lizhu Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Ruqin Fan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Jia Luo
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Shaohua Yan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China
| | - Zed Rengel
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
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18
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Saryg-Ool BY, Myagkaya IN, Kirichenko IS, Gustaytis MA, Shuvaeva OV, Zhmodik SM, Lazareva EV. Redistribution of elements between wastes and organic-bearing material in the dispersion train of gold-bearing sulfide tailings: Part I. Geochemistry and mineralogy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 581-582:460-471. [PMID: 28088549 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Migration and redistribution of elements during prolonged interaction of cyanide wastes with the underlying natural organic-bearing material have been studied in two ~40cm deep cores that sample primary ores and their weathering profile (wastes I and II, respectively) in the dispersion train of gold-bearing sulfide tailings in Siberia. Analytical results of SR-XRF, whole-rock XRF, AAS, CHNS, and SEM measurements of core samples show high K, Sr, Ti, and Fe enrichments and correlation of P2O5 and Mn with LOI and Corg. Organic material interlayered or mixed with the wastes accumulates Cu, Zn, Se, Cd, Ag, Au, and Hg. The peat that contacts wastes II bears up to 3wt.% Zn, 1000g/t Se, 100g/t Cd, and 8000g/t Hg. New phases of Zn and Hg sulfides and Hg selenides occur as abundant sheaths over bacterial cells suggesting microbial mediation in sorption of elements. Organic-bearing material in the cores contains 10-30g/t Au in 2-5cm thick intervals, both within and outside the intervals rich in sulfides and selenides. Most of gold is invisible but reaches 345g/t and forms 50nm to 1.5μm Au0 particles in a thin 2-3cm interval of organic remnants mixed with wastes I. Vertical and lateral infiltration of AMD waters in peat and oxidative dissolution of wastes within the dispersion train of the Ursk tailings lead to redistribution of elements and their accumulation by combined physical (material's permeability, direction AMD), chemical (complexing, sorption by organic matter and Fe(III) hydroxides) and biochemical (metabolism of sulfate-reducing bacteria) processes. The accumulated elements form secondary sulfates, and Hg and Zn selenides. The results provide insights into accumulation of elements in the early history of coal and black shale deposits and have implications for remediation of polluted areas and for secondary enrichment technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Yu Saryg-Ool
- Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Koptyug Avenue, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Str., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - I N Myagkaya
- Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Koptyug Avenue, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; National Research Tomsk Polytechnical University, 30, Lenin Avenue, Tomsk 634050, Russia.
| | - I S Kirichenko
- Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Koptyug Avenue, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - M A Gustaytis
- Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Koptyug Avenue, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Str., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - O V Shuvaeva
- Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Str., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Lavrentiev avenue, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - S M Zhmodik
- Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Koptyug Avenue, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, 2, Pirogov Str., Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - E V Lazareva
- Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 3, Koptyug Avenue, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł B, Smieja-Król B, Frontasyeva M, Słowiński M, Marcisz K, Lapshina E, Gilbert D, Buttler A, Jassey VEJ, Kaliszan K, Laggoun-Défarge F, Kołaczek P, Lamentowicz M. Anthropogenic- and natural sources of dust in peatland during the Anthropocene. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38731. [PMID: 27995953 PMCID: PMC5171771 DOI: 10.1038/srep38731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As human impact have been increasing strongly over the last decades, it is crucial to distinguish human-induced dust sources from natural ones in order to define the boundary of a newly proposed epoch - the Anthropocene. Here, we track anthropogenic signatures and natural geochemical anomalies in the Mukhrino peatland, Western Siberia. Human activity was recorded there from cal AD 1958 (±6). Anthropogenic spheroidal aluminosilicates clearly identify the beginning of industrial development and are proposed as a new indicator of the Anthropocene. In cal AD 1963 (±5), greatly elevated dust deposition and an increase in REE serve to show that the geochemistry of elements in the peat can be evidence of nuclear weapon testing; such constituted an enormous force blowing soil dust into the atmosphere. Among the natural dust sources, minor signals of dryness and of the Tunguska cosmic body (TCB) impact were noted. The TCB impact was indirectly confirmed by an unusual occurrence of mullite in the peat.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł
- Department of Biogeography and Paleoecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, Poland
| | - B Smieja-Król
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - M Frontasyeva
- Department of Neutron Activation Analysis, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russian Federation
| | - M Słowiński
- Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, Poland.,GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section 5.2-Climate Dynamics and Landscape Evolution, Telegrafenberg, D-14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - K Marcisz
- Department of Biogeography and Paleoecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, Poland.,Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Monitoring, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, B.Krygowskiego 10, PL-61 680 Poznań, Poland
| | - E Lapshina
- Yugra State University, Chekhova 16, 628012, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia
| | - D Gilbert
- Laboratoire de Chrono-environment, UMR 6249 CNRS, Université de Franche-Comté, 16 Route de Gray, 25030 Besancon Cedex, France
| | - A Buttler
- Swiss Federal Research Institute-WSL, Community Ecology Research Unit, Station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.,École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental, Engineering (ENAC), Laboratory of Ecological Systems (ECOS), Station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - V E J Jassey
- Swiss Federal Research Institute-WSL, Community Ecology Research Unit, Station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.,École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental, Engineering (ENAC), Laboratory of Ecological Systems (ECOS), Station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - K Kaliszan
- Department of Biogeography and Paleoecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, Poland.,Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Monitoring, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, B.Krygowskiego 10, PL-61 680 Poznań, Poland
| | - F Laggoun-Défarge
- Université d'Orléans, CNRS/INSU, BRGM, ISTO, UMR 7327, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - P Kołaczek
- Department of Biogeography and Paleoecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, Poland
| | - M Lamentowicz
- Department of Biogeography and Paleoecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, Poland.,Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Monitoring, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, B.Krygowskiego 10, PL-61 680 Poznań, Poland
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20
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Shotyk W, Rausch N, Nieminen TM, Ukonmaanaho L, Krachler M. Isotopic Composition of Pb in Peat and Porewaters from Three Contrasting Ombrotrophic Bogs in Finland: Evidence of Chemical Diagenesis in Response to Acidification. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:9943-9951. [PMID: 27536961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The isotopic composition of Pb was determined in Finnish peat bogs and their porewaters from Harjavalta (HAR, near a Cu-Ni smelter), Outokumpu (OUT, near a Cu-Ni mine), and Hietajärvi (HIJ, a background site). At HIJ and OUT, the porewaters yielded similar concentrations (0.1-0.7 μg/L) and isotopic composition ((206)Pb/(207)Pb = 1.154-1.164). In contrast, the peat profile from HAR yielded greater concentrations of Pb in the porewaters (average 2.4 μg/L), and the Pb is less radiogenic ((206)Pb/(207)Pb = 1.121-1.149). Acidification of the bog surface waters to pH 3.5 by SO2 emitted from smelting (compared to pH 4.0 at the control site) apparently promotes the dissolution of Pb-bearing aerosols, as well as desorption of metals from the surfaces of these particles and from the peat matrix. Despite this, the chronology of anthropogenic, atmospheric deposition for the past millenium recorded by the isotopic composition of Pb in all three peat bogs is remarkably similar. While the immobility of Pb in the peat cores may appear inconsistent with the elevated porewater Pb concentrations, Pb concentrations in the aqueous phase never amount to more than 0.01% of the total Pb at any given depth so that the potential for migration remains small. The low rates of vertical water movement in bogs generally combined with the size of the metal-containing particles in solution may be additional factors limiting Pb mobilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Shotyk
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1 Canada
| | - Nicole Rausch
- University of Heidelberg , Institute of Environmental Geochemistry, Im Neuenheimer Feld 236, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tiina M Nieminen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) , Box 18, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland
| | - Liisa Ukonmaanaho
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) , Box 18, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland
| | - Michael Krachler
- European Commission , Joint Research Centre, Directorate Nuclear Safety and Security, P.O. Box 2340, 76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
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Drexler JZ, Alpers CN, Neymark LA, Paces JB, Taylor HE, Fuller CC. A millennial-scale record of Pb and Hg contamination in peatlands of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 551-552:738-51. [PMID: 26918488 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we provide the first record of millennial patterns of Pb and Hg concentrations on the west coast of the United States. Peat cores were collected from two micro-tidal marshes in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. Core samples were analyzed for Pb, Hg, and Ti concentrations and dated using radiocarbon and (210)Pb. Pre-anthropogenic concentrations of Pb and Hg in peat ranged from 0.60 to 13.0μgg(-1)and from 6.9 to 71ngg(-1), respectively. For much of the past 6000+ years, the Delta was free from anthropogenic pollution, however, beginning in ~1425CE, Hg and Pb concentrations, Pb/Ti ratios, Pb enrichment factors (EFs), and HgEFs all increased. Pb isotope compositions of the peat suggest that this uptick was likely caused by smelting activities originating in Asia. The next increases in Pb and Hg contamination occurred during the California Gold Rush (beginning ~1850CE), when concentrations reached their highest levels (74μgg(-1) Pb, 990ngg(-1) Hg; PbEF=12 and HgEF=28). Lead concentrations increased again beginning in the ~1920s with the incorporation of Pb additives in gasoline. The phase-out of lead additives in the late 1980s was reflected in changes in Pb isotope ratios and reductions in Pb concentrations in the surface layers of the peat. The rise and subsequent fall of Hg contamination was also tracked by the peat archive, with the highest Hg concentrations occurring just before 1963CE and then decreasing during the post-1963 period. Overall, the results show that the Delta was a pristine region for most of its ~6700-year existence; however, since ~1425CE, it has received Pb and Hg contamination from both global and regional sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Z Drexler
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA 95819-6129, United States.
| | - Charles N Alpers
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA 95819-6129, United States.
| | - Leonid A Neymark
- U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046, MS963, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, United States.
| | - James B Paces
- U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046, MS963, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, United States.
| | - Howard E Taylor
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Suite E-127, Boulder, CO 80303, United States.
| | - Christopher C Fuller
- U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, MS465, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States.
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22
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Martínez Cortizas A, López-Merino L, Bindler R, Mighall T, Kylander ME. Early atmospheric metal pollution provides evidence for Chalcolithic/Bronze Age mining and metallurgy in Southwestern Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 545-546:398-406. [PMID: 26748004 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Although archaeological research suggests that mining/metallurgy already started in the Chalcolithic (3rd millennium BC), the earliest atmospheric metal pollution in SW Europe has thus far been dated to ~3500-3200 cal.yr. BP in paleo-environmental archives. A low intensity, non-extensive mining/metallurgy and the lack of appropriately located archives may be responsible for this mismatch. We have analysed the older section (>2100 cal.yr. BP) of a peat record from La Molina (Asturias, Spain), a mire located in the proximity (35-100 km) of mines which were exploited in the Chalcolithic/Bronze Age, with the aim of assessing evidence of this early mining/metallurgy. Analyses included the determination of C as a proxy for organic matter content, lithogenic elements (Si, Al, Ti) as markers of mineral matter, and trace metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb) and stable Pb isotopes as tracers of atmospheric metal pollution. From ~8000 to ~4980 cal.yr. BP the Pb composition is similar to that of the underlying sediments (Pb 15 ± 4 μg g(-1); (206)Pb/(207)Pb 1.204 ± 0.002). A sustained period of low (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratios occurred from ~4980 to ~2470 cal.yr. BP, which can be divided into four phases: Chalcolithic (~4980-3700 cal.yr. BP), (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratios decline to 1.175 and Pb/Al ratios increase; Early Bronze Age (~3700-3500 cal.yr. BP), (206)Pb/(207)Pb increase to 1.192 and metal/Al ratios remain stable; Late Bronze Age (~3500-2800 cal.yr. BP), (206)Pb/(207)Pb decline to their lowest values (1.167) while Pb/Al and Zn/Al increase; and Early Iron Age (~2800-2470 cal.yr. BP), (206)Pb/(207)Pb increase to 1.186, most metal/Al ratios decrease but Zn/Al shows a peak. At the beginning of the Late Iron Age, (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratios and metal enrichments show a rapid return to pre-anthropogenic values. These results provide evidence of regional/local atmospheric metal pollution triggered by the earliest phases of mining/metallurgy in the area, and reconcile paleo-environmental and archaeological records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Martínez Cortizas
- Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Sur s/n, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Lourdes López-Merino
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University London, UB8 3PH Uxbridge, UK.
| | - Richard Bindler
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Tim Mighall
- Department of Geography & Environment, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen AB24 3UF, UK.
| | - Malin E Kylander
- Department of Geological Sciences and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Smieja-Król B, Janeczek J, Bauerek A, Thorseth IH. The role of authigenic sulfides in immobilization of potentially toxic metals in the Bagno Bory wetland, southern Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:15495-505. [PMID: 26006073 PMCID: PMC4620126 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4728-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The supply of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, and Tl into a wetland in the industrial area of Upper Silesia, southern Poland via atmospheric precipitation and dust deposition has been counterbalanced by the biogenic metal sulfide crystallization in microsites of the thin (<30 cm) peat layer, despite the overall oxidative conditions in the wetland. Disequilibrium of the redox reactions in the peat pore water (pH 5.4-6.2) caused by sulfate-reducing microorganisms has resulted in the localized decrease in Eh and subsequent precipitation of micron- and submicron-sized framboidal pyrite, spheroidal ZnS and (Zn,Cd)S, and galena as revealed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Saturation index for each sulfide is at a maximum within the calculated Eh range of -80 and -146 mV. Lead was also immobilized in galena deposited in fungal filaments, possibly at a higher Eh. Thallium (up to 3 mg kg(-1)) in the peat strongly correlates with Zn, whereas Cu (up to 55 mg kg(-1)) co-precipitated with Pb. The metal sulfides occur within microbial exudates, which protect them from oxidation and mechanical displacement. Vertical distribution of toxic metals in the peat layer reflects differences in pollution loads from atmospheric deposition, which has been much reduced recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Smieja-Król
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Janusz Janeczek
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Bauerek
- Department of Environmental Monitoring, Central Mining Institute, Plac Gwarków 1, 40-166, Katowice, Poland
| | - Ingunn H Thorseth
- Centre for Geobiology and Department of Earth Science, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007, Bergen, Norway
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Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł B, Smieja-Król B, Ostrovnaya TM, Frontasyeva M, Siemińska A, Lamentowicz M. Peatland Microbial Communities as Indicators of the Extreme Atmospheric Dust Deposition. WATER, AIR, AND SOIL POLLUTION 2015; 226:97. [PMID: 25814776 PMCID: PMC4363472 DOI: 10.1007/s11270-015-2338-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We investigated a peat profile from the Izery Mountains, located within the so-called Black Triangle, the border area of Poland, Czech Republic, and Germany. This peatland suffered from an extreme atmospheric pollution during the last 50 years, which created an exceptional natural experiment to examine the impact of pollution on peatland microbes. Testate amoebae (TA), Centropyxis aerophila and Phryganella acropodia, were distinguished as a proxy of atmospheric pollution caused by extensive brown coal combustion. We recorded a decline of mixotrophic TA and development of agglutinated taxa as a response for the extreme concentration of Al (30 g kg-1) and Cu (96 mg kg-1) as well as the extreme amount of fly ash particles determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, which were used by TA for shell construction. Titanium (5.9 %), aluminum (4.7 %), and chromium (4.2 %) significantly explained the highest percentage of the variance in TA data. Elements such as Al, Ti, Cr, Ni, and Cu were highly correlated (r > 0.7, p < 0.01) with pseudostome position/body size ratio and pseudostome position. Changes in the community structure, functional diversity, and mechanisms of shell construction were recognized as the indicators of dust pollution. We strengthen the importance of the TA as the bioindicators of the recent atmospheric pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł
- Department of Biogeography and Palaeoecology, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań, Poland
| | - B. Smieja-Król
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - T. M. Ostrovnaya
- Department of Neutron Activation Analysis, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russian Federation
| | - M. Frontasyeva
- Department of Neutron Activation Analysis, Frank Laboratory of Neutron Physics Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russian Federation
| | - A. Siemińska
- Department of Biogeography and Palaeoecology, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań, Poland
| | - M. Lamentowicz
- Department of Biogeography and Palaeoecology, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań, Poland
- Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Management & Department of Biogeography and Palaeoecology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Meteorology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, 60-649 Poznań, Poland
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Smieja-Król B, Fiałkiewicz-Kozieł B. Quantitative determination of minerals and anthropogenic particles in some Polish peat occurrences using a novel SEM point-counting method. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:2573-2587. [PMID: 24442577 PMCID: PMC3939010 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3561-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
A method is proposed for determining the mineral composition of peat using scanning electron microscope. In an illustrative example, five groups of particles occurring in amounts of >0.05% are distinguished in peat from Puścizna Mała bog in the Carpathian foreland, Poland. These are spheroidal aluminosilicate particles (SAP), feldspars, nondescript aluminosilicates (mainly clays), silica (quartz and opaline silica), and Fe(hydro)oxides. Two more site-specific groups (barite and ZnS) are distinguished in highly polluted fens (Bagno Bruch and Bagno Mikołeska) near a zinc smelter in Upper Silesia. At Bagno Bruch, peat contents of predominantly authigenic ZnS microspheroids range up to 1.1%. SAP originating from coal-burning power stations account for maximum concentrations of <21-39% of the inorganic fraction in the studied mires. SAP concentrations vary with depth, and mean spheroid diameters with distance from emission sources. A distinct feature of SAP is their common enrichment in Ti what questions the use of Ti as a proxy for soil dust in fly ash polluted bogs. As amounts of anthropogenic magnetic spherules, less abundant than SAP in all mires, relate to water table level position, they are unsuitable as tracers of air pollution. The proposed method is recommended for application with peats having ash contents > ~4%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Smieja-Król
- Department of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrography, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland,
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Smieja-Król B, Janeczek J, Wiedermann J. Pseudomorphs of barite and biogenic ZnS after phyto-crystals of calcium oxalate (whewellite) in the peat layer of a poor fen. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:7227-33. [PMID: 24604275 PMCID: PMC4025188 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-2700-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomorphs of barite (BaSO4) and Cd-rich ZnS after whewellite (CaC2O4·H2O) occur within remnants of Scots pine bark tissues in the peat layer of a poor fen located near a zinc smelter in south Poland. A two-step formation of the pseudomorphs is postulated based on SEM observations: (1) complete dissolution of whewellite, possibly caused by oxalotrophic bacteria, and (2) subsequent bacterially induced precipitation of barite and spheroidal aggregates of ZnS together with galena (PbS) in voids left by the dissolved whewellite crystals. Local increase in pH due to microbial degradation of whewellite, elevated concentrations of Zn(II) and Ba(II) in pore water due to the decomposition of atmospheric particles of sphalerite and barite in the acidic (pH 3.5-3.8) environment, oxidation of S species during drying and rewetting of the peat layer, and subsequent partial reduction of sulfate anions by sulfur-reducing bacteria were all factors likely involved in the crystallization of ZnS and barite in the microenvironment of the post-whewellite voids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Smieja-Król
- Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska 60, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland,
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27
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Volland S, Schaumlöffel D, Dobritzsch D, Krauss GJ, Lütz-Meindl U. Identification of phytochelatins in the cadmium-stressed conjugating green alga Micrasterias denticulata. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 91:448-454. [PMID: 23266414 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.11.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic environments like peat bogs are affected by anthropogenic metal input into the environment. These ecosystems are inhabited by unicellular green algae of the class Zygnematophyceae. In this study the desmid Micrasterias denticulata was stressed with 600 nM Cd, 10 μM Cr and 300 nM Cu for 3 weeks. GSH levels were measured with HPLC and did not differ between the different treatments or the control. According to the metallo-thiolomics concept, mass spectrometry was used as a method for unambiguous thiol peptide identification. PC2, PC3 and PC4 were clearly identified in the Cd stressed sample with UPLC-MS by their MS spectrum and molecular masses. PC2 and PC3 were determined to be the main thiol compounds, while PC4 was only abundant in traces in Micrasterias. In addition, the identity of PC2 and PC3 was confirmed by MS/MS. No PCs were detected in the Cu stressed algae sample. However, in the Cr stressed sample traces of PC2 were indicated by a peak in UPLC-MS at the retention time of the PC2 standard, but the intensity was too low to acquire reliable MS and MS/MS spectra. In this study PCs have been detected for the first time in a green alga of the division Streptophyta, a close relative to higher plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Volland
- Plant Physiology Division, Cell Biology Department, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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Zoffoli HJO, do Amaral-Sobrinho NMB, Zonta E, Luisi MV, Marcon G, Tolón-Becerra A. Inputs of heavy metals due to agrochemical use in tobacco fields in Brazil's Southern Region. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:2423-37. [PMID: 22729828 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2721-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Only a few studies have assessed the joint incorporation of heavy metals into agricultural systems based on the range of agrochemicals used on a specific agricultural crop. This study was conducted to assess the heavy metals input through application of the main agrochemicals used in Brazilian tobacco fields. A total of 56 samples of different batches of 5 fertilizers, 3 substrates, 8 insecticides, 3 fungicides, 2 herbicides, and 1 growth regulator commonly used in the cultivation of tobacco in Brazil's Southern Region were collected from 3 warehouses located in the States of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná. The total As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn content of the samples was then determined and compared with the regulations of different countries and information found in the available literature. The fertilizers were identified as the primary source of heavy metals among the agrochemicals used. Application of pesticides directly to the shoots of tobacco plants contributed very little to the supply of heavy metals. The agrochemicals used in Brazilian tobacco fields provide lower inputs of the main heavy metals that are nonessential for plants than those registered in the international literature for the majority of crop fields in different regions of the world.
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